Your BankAmericard Welcome Here lighted sign in Portland

Before "Visa" was what it was, the world had BankAmericard - a premiere source for stretching your already-tight 1960s & '70s budgets.

This exists in Portland, Oregon, at a "true western classic" The Outdoor Store.  At very latest, this sign is from 1975, as in 1976 BankAmericard began its re-branding process as Visa, that we all know today.

Photo taken April, 2011

copyright modern relics

Wisconsin Bell Phone door sticker

Back when states used to have their own telephone companies, pay telephones in businesses were a common thing.  Stickers would be displayed on entrance doors, letting those in need of a telephone know where to get their fix.  

This comes from a forty-plus year old Chinese restaurant called Chinese Pagoda in a city called Wauwatosa,Wisconsin.  Contrary to the sign, which has aged surprisingly well, there is not actually a Wisconsin Bell phone at this location.  Because of the restaurant's age, I'm guessing this is from the 1970's.

It is this blog's opinion that Chinese Pagoda serves the best lunch buffet in the Milwaukee area.

Directions Sign at MKE Airport

Q:  What happens when the inside of your sign goes slightly off-kilter?

A:  Instant '70s.

At General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, 2011.

Winn's Semi-Trailers

Winn's semi-trailer at Wisconsin Fairgrounds, July 2011

The Wisconsin State Fair happens every year, as most state fairs tend to.  The past couple years, I've noticed a couple vintage Winn's semi trailers parked among the RVs and horse haulers near the freeway.  Apparently, they haul a roller coaster wherever it's needed.

Winn's wasn't a familiar name in the Midwest.  In fact, it's not a very familiar or well-remembered name these days at all.  Where there should be a Wikipedia article instead is a limited-information entry on Trademarkia, and a lively discussion happening in this forum.

Winn's joins a list of regional department/variety stores that were rendered useless by so-called big box retailers, and changing consumer needs throughout the 20th century.  Any fond Winn's memories?  Feel free to express yourself in the comments section.

Unloading pieces of the famed parking lot roller coaster from a vintage Winn's trailer
Wisconsin State Fairgrounds, July 2011

1971 Government Drug Abuse Source Book

A "highly" satisfying find: Direct from grandma's basement to you (thanks, Grandma!), a pamphlet written by the US Government, with a nice forward by Richard Nixon describing the various issues we face today (1971) with drug abuse.

This "Federal Source Book" will help you learn the terms "Rainbows" (Tuinal, a barbituate combination in a blue and red capsule), Bang (the injection of drugs), and Bombita (an amphetamine injection, sometimes taken with heroin!). Soon, you'll be able to accuse your teen of holding the hype, and freaking out on the hard stuff.








The answers to your drug addiction questions will be added in the next edition, says our trustworthy Nixon. Certainly, if there is a man on the forefront of fighting this scourge of a drug problem the U.S., he is it!

He also mentions that you'll be hit with some serious science within the book. Hold on to your high school diploma!